Your experience with benzos, and changing SSRIs?

[Miniegun]

Hi guys, hopefully this complies with the rules re: medications 🙂

I'm having issues with my anxiety (GAD) at the moment and it has come at a REALLY bad time. I finally managed to get out of hospitality work after 11/12 years and got a job in insurance. I think the shock of a different workplace, the legalities, a confusing data entry program, and all the new stuff I need to remember kind of triggered my anxiety and it got really bad with bad nausea. I did 3 weeks of training, went home on a Friday and saw a doctor, who gave me an SSRI. I then missed the last two weeks of training due to the SSRI kicking my a**. Last Friday I went back to the doctors and he stated that by the two week mark I should have seen an improvement, but if anything I was way worse. I was having very tight, horrible feels in my chest like constant panic attacks and I wasn't sleeping, so the doctor told me to cut them off for 5 days and has given me another SSRI to start taking this coming Wednesday. He also gave me benzo tablets and is working on a Mental Health Plan so I can see a psychologist and finally try and get this GAD I've had for 20 years under control or gone. Work has extended training just for my circumstances, and is asking me to come in this week for solo training, after which I am on my own WFH (reason why I'm trying to get my anxiety under control). If I don't attend, my training is failed and I lose this job. I tried to organise something else with them to give myself time to get my anxiety under control but they weren't very open at all to that. So now I need to try and tackle this coming week without breaking down as I am still feeling very anxious and stressed.

This leads to the benzo question:
I'm looking at taking the benzo for my first day back into training tomorrow, but I'm also concerned I won't sleep tonight due to the anxiety. 

(I catch a bus into work and travelling does trigger motion sickness in me if I already don't feel great). My GP told me it lasts '24hr' but I'm not too sure.

For the SSRI question:
If I start taking the new SSRI this Wednesday, I am just concerned about being nauseous/tired for the training and WFH afterwards.

Would love to hear others experience with both 🙂

[Petal22]

Hi Miniegun,

Wellcome to our forums!

In my experience with antidepressant s they usually take up to 6 weeks to reach their full working capacity……

Antidepressants can make things worse before they make things better , I was advised this also before starting them.

In regards to Benzo I was offered these but I declined them due to the fact I knew they were highly addictive.

Have you tried any therapy for your anxiety?

I believe medication and therapy go hand in hand.

I understand anxiety I had severe anxiety OCD, I have now recovered thanks to the professional help I received.

Please also be kind to yourself also, have you ever tried meditation?

[Miniegun]

Thank you 🙂

When I got the initial SSRI the GP said 'come back in two weeks and we will chat' and then when I went back that is when he said I should have at least had some improvement by then. While I was taking them I did my own research and saw the 4-6 weeks to see improvements but I think at the two week mark with me having the panic feelings that I did he decided that they weren't working great for me. Hopefully this new SSRI works well.

I only took the Benzo offer because I do need to try and get through this week of training. He only gave me one small prescription to get through it. It's computer work so hopefully they don't affect me too much.

As for therapy, when I was first diagnosed at 8yrs old I went to therapy provided by the school. After that I never thought much about it up until now. I have asked the GP for a Mental Health Plan and referral for a psychologist so I can sort it out now 🙂

I have recently tried a bit of guided meditation using an app called DARE and found it helped a little but I think the stress from the new job has just been too much.

[Petal22]

I hope the new SSRI helps you, just remember to give it time and go back to your gp with any concerns.

Please be careful with the Benzo.

Thats great that you are going to do a mental health plan with your gp and see a psychologist. A psychologist can give you many strategies for anxiety.

Exercise is helpful for anxiety and meditation just keep practicing and slow down your breathing.

I understand with new changes anxiety can be brought on I understand how hard it can be.

Hang in there

[Miniegun]

Well I woke up this morning with barely any sleep and had a breakdown. I've decided maybe this job isn't for me as it is causing me more stress than I can deal with right now. Also being a job on the phones and having anxiety is difficult. I feel a bit like a failure and I'm a bit upset I couldn't push myself out of my comfort zone to do it but it is what it is and in the end my mental health is more important.
I'm currently trying to sort out a Centrelink claim and it is asking for a medical certificate for my anxiety, do I get one off a GP or do I need one from a psychologist?

[Petal22]

Hi Miniegun,

Im so sorry you are feeling this way, anxiety is a difficult thing to deal with but you can learn to manage it.. really you can ….

Your mental health is very important and if you feel the job is too much that’s ok.. your not a failure these things happen.

You can obtain a medical certificate from your gp, please discuss your anxiety with your gp and please do your mental health plan so you can see a psychologist a psychologist can give you many strategies for you anxiety… I recommend booking a double appointment with your gp.

Remember to slow down your breathing, maybe google a guided meditation, try going for a walk and practice being mindful.

We are all here as a community to support you please keep reaching out to us if you feel you need to 😊

[Purplefish]

Hey Miniegun,

Also sorry to hear you’re feeling this way! SSRIs can often make anxiety flare in the first couple of weeks (worse before better as others have said), give it time and find some time to do things you enjoy outside of work.

With benzos the main risk factor with addiction is over using them, so having them sparingly while you need them should be safe enough. Just be mindful they do make you sleepy, the first time it might be helpful to take it when you’re not at work to see how it affects you.

I realise now after typing my response that you made this post back in October, I hope you’re doing okay.

good to hear you’ve set up a mental health care plan, in the meantime while waiting for a psych appointment that app sounds useful! I’ve personally found distraction techniques really helpful in managing my anxiety symptoms, adult colouring in books and mindfulness/ grounding techniques are also things you could try ☺️

Hope things are improving for you

regards,
purple fish